How to get a FREE Merlin Annual Pass

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If you’re a family who loves to have adventures without breaking the bank, a Merlin Annual Pass could be your golden ticket to a year packed with fun as there are so many family-friendly attractions included – and right now you can get one for FREE! Whether you’re after thrill rides, animal encounters or interactive indoor experiences, the passes give you access to a whole host of attractions across the UK!

Stay for a night, play for a year.

When you book a short break between the 3rd February and the 1st March 2026, you’ll get an Essential Merlin Annual Pass included for each person staying for FREE! Your short break must be taken between set dates – and these vary for the different attractions – so keep reading as I’ve detailed the dates and the accommodation options that this offer is valid for below. Your short breaks must also be booked directly through Merlin (you can use the links throughout this article to head straight there) as any third party stays through other booking websites aren’t included. The Merlin Essential Pass is usually from around £139 per person – so this is a huge saving – I actually can’t believe that they’re including it for FREE! The pass gives you access to the Merlin attractions for 339 days each year!

What does a Merlin Annual Pass include?

In short – a lot! The Merlin Annual Pass gives you year-long access to some of the UK’s most popular family attractions. We’re talking theme parks like Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor and Thorpe Park; indoor fun like SEA LIFE centres, Shrek’s Adventure!, The London Eye and Madame Tussauds; and historical and immersive experiences like Warwick Castle, The Dungeons and even Cadbury World. To find out more about them check out my article: Merlin Attractions Guide: Where can you go with a Merlin Annual Pass? There are over 20 UK attractions included, which means that you can fill your weekends, half-terms and school holidays with adventures and not have to fork out for tickets each time.

Which short breaks are included in the offer?

Alton Towers Resort

One of the UK’s biggest and most famous theme parks, Alton Towers is home to iconic rollercoasters like Wicker Man, Nemesis and The Smiler. There’s something for all ages though as CBeebies Land offers gentle rides for little ones. We had so much fun when we visited Alton Towers – for more info, check out my article: Alton Towers with kids – the ultimate theme park and hotel guide! To get your free Merlin Annual Pass with a short break stay at Alton Towers, you’ll need to stay between the 14th March and the 26th June 2026. The offer works with most of the accommodation types, excluding the stargazing pods, so I’ve given you a little bit of information about your five short break options below:

1. Alton Towers Hotel: The Alton Towers Hotel is themed around the fictional explorer Sir Algenon, providing a whimsical backdrop to capture the kids’ imaginations – each room is uniquely decorated. Guests benefit from perks such as a full English breakfast buffet, evening entertainment for the kids, free parking and a 9-hole round of Extraordinary Golf. Click here to head to the Alton Towers website to book your short break or to find out more about the Alton Towers Hotel.

2. Splash Landings Hotel: The wonderfully wacky Splash Landings Hotel is also home to the Alton Towers Waterpark – so if you want to visit both the theme park and the waterpark this hotel might be a good option. Your stay will include a full English breakfast buffet, entertainment from the Calypso Crew, free parking and a round of golf. Click here to head to the Alton Towers website to book your short break or to find out more about the Splash Landings Hotel.

3. CBeebies Land Hotel: If you’ve got toddlers or younger children then you’ll most likely want to step inside the rainbow and straight into the colourful world of the UK’s only CBeebies Land Hotel. The hotel features delightfully themed rooms and offers live shows, games and adventures. Just like the other Alton Towers hotel options, your stay includes a full English breakfast buffet, free parking and golf. Click here to head to the Alton Towers website to book your short break or to find out more about the Cbeebies Land Hotel.

4. Enchanted Village Woodland Lodges: If you’d prefer a more peaceful environment for the kids, you’ve also got the option of booking one of the log cabins at the Alton Towers Enchanted Village instead of a hotel. The Woodland Lodges also benefit from all the perks of the hotels – you can head inside for the hotel shows, enjoy a full English breakfast buffet, get free parking and have that round of golf! Click here to head to the Alton Towers website to book your short break or to find out more about the Enchanted Village Woodland Lodges.

5. Luxury Treehouses: For a super luxurious stay, the Luxury Treehouses at the Alton Towers Resort are nestled in the serene Enchanted Village. They come with a kitchenette, a large TV and games console for the kids, a hot tub, room service, VIP parking and fast track tickets – as well as the typical perks of a breakfast buffet, entertainment and the round of golf that’s included with all Alton Towers hotel stays. Click here to head to the Alton Towers website to book your short break or to find out more about the Luxury Treehouses.

Thorpe Park Resort

Geared towards teens and adults, Thorpe Park is a haven for adrenaline junkies. With rides like Stealth, Saw and Colossus, it’s one of the most intense parks in the UK – it also hosts popular seasonal events like Fright Nights in autumn for a bit of extra drama. (Though some events may carry a small additional charge, even with a pass.) My children, 12 and 13, absolutely loved our day at Thorpe Park – it’s definitely one of their favourite places for a day out! For more info, check out my article: Thorpe Park with kids – the ultimate theme park and hotel guide!

To get your free Merlin Annual Pass with a short break stay at Thorpe Park, you’ll need to stay between the 27th March and the 26th June 2026. Thorpe Park doesn’t have a hotel, instead they have their ‘Shark Cabins’ – individual accommodation pods with enough room for a family if you’re visiting with kids. These quirky, compact cabins are just steps away from the park’s thrilling rides, providing an ideal base. A stay at the Thorpe Shark Cabins includes perks like two-day theme park entry, a buffet breakfast, free parking and evening entertainment. The cabins come with an en-suite with a rain shower, tea and coffee making facilities, air conditioning and an interactive TV with Freeview.

For an even more immersive experience, you could consider upgrading to one of the ride-themed cabins. These cabins feature unique theming based on popular rides such as Colossus, Hyperia, Nemesis Inferno, Stealth and The Swarm. Guests staying in these themed cabins receive additional perks including fast track access for select coasters. Click here to head to the Thorpe Park website to book your short break or to find out more about the Shark Cabins.

Chessington World of Adventures

Ideal for families with younger children, Chessington combines theme park rides with a zoo and SEA LIFE centre. There’s a wide mix of rides from the jungle-themed Zufari to the fun Room on the Broom attraction. There are lots of rollercoasters for pre-teens too, I think Chessington World of Adventures is a great option for kids around 13 and under. We had an awesome time on our Chessington visit so make sure you read my articles: The Ultimate Family Guide for Chessington World of Adventures and Chessington Resort Guide: Is the Safari or Azteca hotel better? for all the details.

To get your free Merlin Annual Pass with a short break stay at Chessington World of Adventures, you’ll need to stay between the 20th March and the 26th June 2026. The Chessington World of Adventures Resort features two themed hotels: the Safari Hotel and the Azteca Hotel – which are both connected. The Safari Hotel offers rooms with views over the Wanyama Reserve, allowing guests to see animals like zebras and giraffes from their windows. The Azteca Hotel provides immersive theming inspired by ancient Aztec culture. The hotels share facilities, so regardless of which hotel you pick you can still eat at either restaurant, view the animals after hours, use the swimming pool and experience what both hotels have to offer.

Both hotels offer themed rooms, so deciding whether the Chessington Safari Hotel or the Azteca Hotel is the best option for you will likely just depend on your family’s preferences and budget. There are some pricier themed rooms – like Jumanji, Oreo, Capri-Sun (I think the kids’ room even has a slide on this one!) and the Gruffalo – which come with extra perks too like reserved parking and access to the Rangers Reserve and Ride. A stay at the Chessington Resort includes free parking, breakfast and early entrance to the theme park. Click here to head to the Chessington World of Adventures website to book your short break or to find out more about the resort hotels.

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

A dream day out for LEGO-loving kids! With mini lands, building workshops, interactive rides and live shows, LEGOLAND Windsor is perfect for kids from toddler age through until about 10 years old. This one is the ultimate day out for families with little ones – my two adored it when they were small. To get your free Merlin Annual Pass with a short break stay at LEGOLAND, you’ll need to stay between the 14th March and the 26th June 2026. The offer works with all three of the LEGOLAND accommodation types – here’s a little bit of information about your short break options:

1. LEGOLAND Woodland Village: The LEGOLAND Woodland Village is filled with lego-themed lodges perfect for fun family stay – with options to sleep up to 7 people they’re brilliant if you want your own space or you’ve got lots of little ones. A stay in this accommodation type includes early theme park entry, outdoor play areas, free parking and a free LEGOLAND gift. Click here to head to the LEGOLAND website to book your short break or to find out more about LEGOLAND Woodland Village.

2. LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel: The LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel offers a great short break experience with cool themed rooms – your stay will include early theme park entry, free parking and a free LEGOLAND gift. An extra perk with this accommodation type, guests also get access to the LEGO pirate-themed indoor water play area and swimming pool during their stay. Click here to head to the LEGOLAND website to book your short break or to find out more about LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel.

3. LEGOLAND Castle Hotel: The LEGOLAND Castle Hotel offers the ultimate experience with all the perks in a gorgeous themed room! As well early theme park entry, free parking and a free premium LEGOLAND gift, this hotel option comes with a Playstation 4 in the room, a coffee machine, an in-room treasure hunt and access to the LEGO pirate-themed indoor water play area and swimming pool. Click here to head to the LEGOLAND website to book your short break or to find out more about LEGOLAND Castle Hotel.

Warwick Castle

If theme parks aren’t your thing, Warwick Castle offers a full-day historical adventure with live jousting shows (check the website for event dates), birds of prey displays and dungeon tours. There’s also a fabulous Zog-themed activity trail for little ones. If you love history, or just want to picnic in stunning grounds with the kids on a sunny day, this is a top pick. To get your free Merlin Annual Pass with a short break stay at Warwick Castle, you’ll need to stay between the 28th March and the 26th June 2026. The offer works with three of the accommodation types at Warwick Castle (the glamping lodges are excluded) – here’s a little bit of information about your short break options:

1. Warwick Castle Hotel: The themed rooms at Warwick Castle Hotel offer a cool experience for families with up to 2 adults and 3 children. Your stay includes a kingsize bed, complimentary tea and coffee, air-conditioned rooms, parking, breakfast and play areas. Click here to head to the Warwick Castle website to book your short break or to find out more about Warwick Castle Hotel.

2. Warwick Castle Medieval Lodges: If you’d prefer to have your own space then the themed lodges in the castle grounds are a great option. Most lodges sleep up to 5 people, with the larger Knight’s Lodges sleeping up to 7. A stay in the Warwick Castle Medieval Lodges includes evening entertainment, breakfast and parking. Click here to head to the Warwick Castle website to book your short break or to find out more about the Medieval Lodges.

3. Caesar’s Tower Suites: If you want to relax like royalty, and you’ve got a bigger budget, you could even stay inside the castle’s 14th century tower! The Tower Suites offer a very posh VIP experience with extras like champagne on arrival, breakfast in the staterooms, priority parking, afternoon tea, evening entertainment and a private tour led by a historian. Click here to head to the Warwick Castle website to book your short break or to find out more about the Tower Suites.

A final word

I hope that this article has helped you to hunt out the best attraction for your Merlin Short break – make sure you book and take your trip within the specified dates to benefit from a FREE Essentials Annual Pass. This is an absolutely fantastic offer – the best I’ve seen from Merlin, so take advantage of it to gain a year of FREE days out with the kids! Keep scrolling for my Merlin attraction reviews and guides, and you can click the links below to head straight to the relevant short breaks pages – book before the 1st of March 2026 – and have fun! 😊